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Teen Volunteer Program

Give back to your community and become part of Longwood Gardens Teen Volunteer Program.

The Longwood Teen Volunteer Program is an eight-week summer program that provides high school students with an opportunity to become part of the Longwood Team. Participants will gain work experience and learn leadership skills in a positive and enriching environment. While working in this positive, fast-paced environment, teens will have the opportunity to earn volunteer hours, give back to the community, and make new friends.

Ideal Candidates will:

Be entering grades 9−12 in Fall 2019.

Be open to interacting with Longwood Staff and visitors of all ages, especially children.

Be enthusiastic about learning and practicing new skills.

Get along well with peers and work well in a group.

Be interested in learning more about Longwood Gardens and horticulture.

Have access to reliable transportation.

Be available to attend all events, trainings, and scheduled hours.

Participants in the Teen Volunteer Program must volunteer a total of 18 hours consisting of seven two-hour placement shifts and two two-hour Thursday Horticulture Sessions. All hours must be completed between June 17–August 9, 2019.

Placement Opportunities

Children's Garden

Inspire Longwood's youngest guests by volunteering in our indoor Children's Garden. You'll get the chance to interact with children through puppets, books, and other hands-on activities. The ideal candidate for this learning experience should enjoy working with groups of children. The theme for Summer 2019 is amphibians, insects, and pollinators.

Waterlily Display

Interact with guests of all ages while working with our Docent Team to share knowledge of Longwood's Waterlilies. The ideal candidate for this learning experience should enjoy spending time outdoors and interacting with guests.

Meadow Garden

Dive deeper into our Meadow Garden by helping to gather scientific data. Working with our Natural Lands team, you'll check bluebird houses, collect data on plants, monitor butterfly population, and more! Each day brings a different opportunity. The ideal candidate for this learning experience should enjoy spending time outdoors.

Research

Exercise your science skills and explore what it's like to work in a lab alongside Longwood's Research team. The ideal candidate for this learning experience should have taken biology or chemistry in high school.

Summer Camp

Venture out into the Gardens during this immersive week-long summer camp experience. Working with Camp Counselors, you'll assist campers ages 6–12 with their journey through the Gardens. This opportunity is only available to third- or fourth-year returning Teen Volunteers.

To Apply

Applications for 2019 are now closed. Please check back for future application dates.